Outdoor halogen replacements

Looking to replace several 150W halogens with something a bit more
energy efficient.
I suspect LED isn't up to the task, yet, at those light levels
(in an outdoor fixture).
Best I can seem to come up with is
<http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?partNumber)6861-20424-L90UTIL>
though that's probably a bit more light than we currently have.
(and, lamp life isn't too good -- stock up on spares?)
Anyone with experience with non-incandescent BIG, outdoor light sources?

Do you have a model number? The closest I can find is:
<http://www.costco.com/TestRite-LED-Motion-Activated-Security-Light-.product.100248580.html
which appears to be *half* the intensity (per lamp) of a (single!)
150W halogen.
(I'm not keen on having to replace each fixture with a two-headed fixture;
it'll just look silly)

Those halogen (tube type) fixtures have always been troublesome. I
always installed the bulbs without touching them with my fingers as
instructed. But I found so many of them burn out quickly. Far too often
they also burned up the contacts in the fixtures. They burn so hot that
they seem to self destruct, and can be a fire hazzard as well. I'm
referring to both the fixtures that are made to be permanently mounted
to something, as well as the portable (so called) "Work Lights".
Although I have not yet purchased any, I have seen LED "work lights"
that are as bright, use much less power, and dont get hot. I plan to buy
one when they are on sale for a good price.
I replaced my farm "Yard Light" on the pole, with a LED fixture. I was
very impressed. It's brighter than the old 175 watt Mercury Vapor bulb,
and it only used 38 watts. It was costing me around $15 to $20 a month
(depending on the season) to run that old Mercury Vapor light all night
every night. It's now costing me $4 to $5 a month for the LED fixture.
That's a savings of at least $120 a year. The LED fixture complete with
bulb and mounting arm, cost about $100. So it paid for itself after
about 10 months. Plus, I wont have to replace the $12 M.V. bulb every 2
years or less....

I replaced a 175 watt metal halide bulb in a flagpole light fixture
with a 100 watt equiv LED from Lowe's. I picked cool white and no one
has noticed the change. (I, of course, had to remove the ballast from
the fixture). The new bulb isn't quite as bright, but with no other
lights nearby, I can't even tell. The old bulbs lasted about 2 years
and cost from $30 or $40 to replace. The new LED uses about 12 watts
and will likely last for many years. Even if it doesn't, the power
savings is worth it.

We use the halogens to light the yard; i.e., they need to *throw*
light pretty far into the darkened yard. The lamps have to be sited
in the afternoon sun (exposure) so they are pretty warm before they
are ever turned on. (LED/fluorescent lamps have electronic ballasts
that tend not to like to be warm)
We've had no problems with the halogens but they are power hungry.
The fixtures allow us to control where the light "spills" so we
don't annoy neighbors by shining bright spots into their homes.
We need the same sort of capability with replacement lamps -- but
with lower power requirements.

Lots of city and highway "street lamps" have gone to LED with
excellent results. Lots of parking lot / carlot lights as well.
The entire factory where I work 2 afternoons a week is lit with LEDs,
including their parking lot.

And how practical are they ($$$) for a homeowner's deployment?
A business that can factor in the labor costs of replacing a lamp
(along with power costs) uses a different calculus to justify
expenses -- that aren't consistent with what a homeowner expects.

There are now plenty of LED floodlights that are equal or brighter.
Start with Amazon
https://www.1000bulbs.com/product/113356/PLT-SL42BZ.html?utm_source=SmartFeedGoogleBase&utm_medium=Shopping&utm_term=PLT-SL42BZ&utm_content 0+-+400+Watt+Halogen+Equal+LED+Flood+Light+Fixtures&utm_campaign=SmartFeedGoogleBaseShopping&gclid=CjwKEAiA9om3BRDpzvihsdGnhTwSJAAkSewLPm9hrAMfmFmdF8dyKjtiYYC7t8d3F3XABA6Ts5s7MhoCx4nw_wcB

I'm not concerned with *availability* but, rather, practicality!
I've found lots of lamps -- with varying degrees of disappointed reviews.

Only rated to 104 degrees. So, sitting out in the sun all day -- with
an ambient temperature of 100F (on at least 60-100 days/year), do you
think it's internal electronics are going to cool down quickly enough
to light at sunset?
(i.e., it is often 90+ degrees at midnight, here)

Yesterday a friend showed me a work light that was
really awesome. Said it came from Costco. Somewhat
like this:
http://www.harborfreight.com/portable-halogen-shop-light-61576.html
but square cree emitters. Pure white light, and shines all
over the room. Not like the HF LED one which throws a spot
on the far wall.
I did not find any thing similar on www.costco.com site.

I'm leary of much of this chinese stuff -- it may work *today*, but how
will it hold up to long term use? Replacing a *bulb* that has reached
it's natural end-of-life is one thing; replacing a FIXTURE because someone
saved a few micropennies on the ballast (or, failed to provide adequate
heatsinking for the emitter) is just a fool's game!
Have to wonder how seemingly identical fixtures can be priced at $20 and $140!

Log in

HomeOwnersHub.com is a website for homeowners and building and maintenance pros. It is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here.
All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.